tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75213482972060143652024-03-19T00:27:27.814-05:00Laura's ReviewsLaura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.comBlogger2323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-72121451985646407792024-03-18T08:29:00.004-05:002024-03-18T08:29:38.862-05:00The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay (Austenprose PR Book Tour)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQXvsyBajAAXqKcC5-Ri2ExqlsQpyxRxtc4DQAivjJCjPMPjwPw__1NWf4He7jNNJ8ALS_EDLSAyAx1Bz0Z4W8FJ-rtYNEgJndQ6qWhZwEb78PHqgtYy53jZ_H7VXlMaG_xXrs3jZNkd0mpxT4tS1vqWMOsJj1kmXyaDVj9XqhsWRDCcdPrmGCTxY4xQ/s1080/Ther%20Berlin%20Letters%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQXvsyBajAAXqKcC5-Ri2ExqlsQpyxRxtc4DQAivjJCjPMPjwPw__1NWf4He7jNNJ8ALS_EDLSAyAx1Bz0Z4W8FJ-rtYNEgJndQ6qWhZwEb78PHqgtYy53jZ_H7VXlMaG_xXrs3jZNkd0mpxT4tS1vqWMOsJj1kmXyaDVj9XqhsWRDCcdPrmGCTxY4xQ/s320/Ther%20Berlin%20Letters%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Berlin Letters<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katherine Reay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saskia Maaleveld, Anne Marie Gideon, P.J.
Ochlan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Harper
Muse<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 11 hours and 48 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Audiobook review
copy from NetGalley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you Harper
Muse and Austenprose for the review copy of the physical book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you like to send or receive letters? I love to send
letters. My best friend and I still write letters to each other, although
sometimes I am slow on getting my letters out!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Berlin Letters is a compelling novel about the
Cold War. In 1961, as the Berlin wall was going up, Monica Voekler threw her young
daughter Luisa over the barbed wire to her parents on the west side. She was
unable to cross herself. Luisa grew up in America, believing that that her
parents died in a car accident. She works at the CIA cracking codes in secret. After
her grandfather’s death, she finds a secret stash of letters from her father.
Reading them, she discovers that her grandfather and father had been sending each
other coded letters. Her father is still alive, and she will stop at nothing to
rescue him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
first chapter was gripping and pulled me right into the novel. I never thought
about how sudden the wall went up and how families could be separated forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
was a page turner and I kept wanting to read/listen to this book to find out
how it would all end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
story kept me engaged throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
liked the narrative with the chapters alternating between Luisa in the present,
and Haris (her father) in the past leading up to the present (1989).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
story had everything – mystery, suspense, family drama, codes to crack, spies
and even a bit of romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
characters were all compelling and I particularly identified with Luisa and her
story. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
thought it was remarkably interesting to read about how the communists were
very unhappy when John Paul II became the pope as they had spies in the Vatican
before that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also
interesting was a tidbit that the Soviet Union was on the verge of invading
Poland until President Reagen was shot and the United States put itself on
alert. The Soviets decided to back down at that point.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
always find it so strange how different east and west Berlin were from each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haris has a time where he is
walking the streets looking at buildings that were bombed out during World War
II and how they still are not repaired after almost forty years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thinks about how there are certain areas
that tourists are allowed and how they are kept looking nice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking
of the present, I was a child of the eighties and felt old remembering the
events of 1989 and 1990 in this historical fiction novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
I have been doing with a lot of books this month, I started this one as a physical
book and then switched to the audiobook as I have had a lot of driving time to
listen to audiobooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really liked the
different narrators in this book to narrate. I especially liked P.J. Ochlan’s
accent as Haris Voekler.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the author’s note at the end of the novel that detailed her research into
this time period.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There
are also terrific book club discussion questions at the end of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this would provide a book club plenty
of good tidbits to discuss at a group meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
would love to see this book made into a movie.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, The Berlin Letters is a fascinating
historical fiction book on the Cold War.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The story of father and daughter, Haris and Luisa put a face on the heartbreak
that so many people had to endure during that time period.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWrjCHzph7TNer1Ppjn9iSrC2V_bPZ-ztUu-_M_ASe6AqGDb2oAEUIoRwqpK7SPem76LOLplgYYVIlwXxIpNFl-AiFAjYcRLIOF1wko6FqBGyX195fSFglieuB1g1YuNTnnokAaF_8kF-6GcxKqtR9JkUPoLEUL3xSUGIfJTq556oHljILpKpmuHuIIM/s1500/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWrjCHzph7TNer1Ppjn9iSrC2V_bPZ-ztUu-_M_ASe6AqGDb2oAEUIoRwqpK7SPem76LOLplgYYVIlwXxIpNFl-AiFAjYcRLIOF1wko6FqBGyX195fSFglieuB1g1YuNTnnokAaF_8kF-6GcxKqtR9JkUPoLEUL3xSUGIfJTq556oHljILpKpmuHuIIM/s320/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024%20(1).jpg" width="210" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BOOK DESCRIPTION</span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bestselling author Katherine Reay returns with an unforgettable tale of the Cold War and a CIA code breaker who risks everything to free her father from an East German prison.</span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">From the time she was a young girl, Luisa Voekler has loved solving puzzles and cracking codes. Brilliant and logical, she’s expected to quickly climb the career ladder at the CIA. But while her coworkers have moved on to thrilling Cold War assignments—especially in the exhilarating era of the late 1980s—Luisa’s work remains stuck in the past decoding messages from World War II.</span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Journalist Haris Voekler grew up a proud East Berliner. But as his eyes open to the realities of postwar East Germany, he realizes that the Soviet promises of a better future are not coming to fruition. After the Berlin Wall goes up, Haris finds himself separated from his young daughter and all alone after his wife dies. There’s only one way to reach his family—by sending coded letters to his father-in-law who lives on the other side of the Iron Curtain.</span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When Luisa Voekler discovers a secret cache of letters written by the father she has long presumed dead, she learns the truth about her grandfather’s work, her father’s identity, and why she has never progressed in her career. With little more than a rudimentary plan and hope, she journeys to Berlin and risks everything to free her father and get him out of East Berlin alive.</span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPSN9vMvz9LV7zmDKGIxMofkrpxSjmoyQZ5HxKQWb-yZbJ-_9YMSJTV9U4MpBTwdEFuVbm9QPDlyoOyVmw3wQt1Gb6ZFMttXo0_-9-71MGurwu4BnZlXy60fVrga608xjaodLEDOhd33QllE_GkApZ6RLoFpVreqIaHu1KI3Lwd5pOKCL4fedmfMapM0/s750/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPSN9vMvz9LV7zmDKGIxMofkrpxSjmoyQZ5HxKQWb-yZbJ-_9YMSJTV9U4MpBTwdEFuVbm9QPDlyoOyVmw3wQt1Gb6ZFMttXo0_-9-71MGurwu4BnZlXy60fVrga608xjaodLEDOhd33QllE_GkApZ6RLoFpVreqIaHu1KI3Lwd5pOKCL4fedmfMapM0/s320/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped%20(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As Luisa and Haris take turns telling their stories, events speed toward one of the twentieth century’s most dramatic moments—the fall of the Berlin Wall and that night’s promise of freedom, truth, and reconciliation for those who lived, for twenty-eight years, behind the bleak shadow of the Iron Curtain’s most iconic symbol.<p></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">AUTHOR BIO</span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Katherine Reay</span></b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> is a national bestselling and award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and three children. You can meet her at katherinereay.com.</span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-55088345099805635212024-03-14T06:51:00.000-05:002024-03-14T06:51:47.020-05:00Finding Jane Fairfax by Robbin J. Peterson (Austenprose PR Book Tour)<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmSZvlCzPx2PY58xvs97Hy92paB-_eTsCgqWKiBkX3e7DdnqToWnCQLYv1-Q9SUWkctfOPO4lnkLCxi-2KxTi-pve2J3ZZZndggHdbT1SBozo7Y5lvD_huw6smNjYFLFjnxgpqNIkwCqkst6CNxKcYXhrFVPVkeKXXx8L4YSiwvs8mQpmMod5szIq7jw/s1080/Finding%20Jane%20Fairfax%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmSZvlCzPx2PY58xvs97Hy92paB-_eTsCgqWKiBkX3e7DdnqToWnCQLYv1-Q9SUWkctfOPO4lnkLCxi-2KxTi-pve2J3ZZZndggHdbT1SBozo7Y5lvD_huw6smNjYFLFjnxgpqNIkwCqkst6CNxKcYXhrFVPVkeKXXx8L4YSiwvs8mQpmMod5szIq7jw/s320/Finding%20Jane%20Fairfax%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding Jane Fairfax<br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robbin J. Peterson<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noah Wall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Shadow
Mountain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 10 hours and 8 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Purchased
from Amazon.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you Covenant
Corporation and Austenprose for the review copy of the physical book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever wanted to know the back story of a
secondary character in a novel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so,
which character and novel?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have always been intrigued by Jane Fairfax in Emma
by Jane Austen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an orphan that was
raised by her father’s wealthy friend from the military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she was raised with his daughter as
a lady, she has no dowry or prospects of her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Emma, she is quiet, beautiful, and
accomplished, all of which makes Emma dislike her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does Jane’s secret engagement to Frank
Churchill come about?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqActhq3Ac5wi8EUeA4Kki9rOVRjZkH3IylsDUe7tYSE0h-Y1OfBFJppwFyRkUTMchsFR46gaxA95qrNpjPrkPO_klzpVVRAtQNtGDCGRCg42Won8BLJpXwwzD5RD6IIwx8tHDTigKpcrEyNJ-gayGg4hVYepUNWkUb7AP3tY1L9e2j3mDmw5OK5x4Oo8/s1500/Finding%20Jane%20Fairfax%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqActhq3Ac5wi8EUeA4Kki9rOVRjZkH3IylsDUe7tYSE0h-Y1OfBFJppwFyRkUTMchsFR46gaxA95qrNpjPrkPO_klzpVVRAtQNtGDCGRCg42Won8BLJpXwwzD5RD6IIwx8tHDTigKpcrEyNJ-gayGg4hVYepUNWkUb7AP3tY1L9e2j3mDmw5OK5x4Oo8/s320/Finding%20Jane%20Fairfax%202024.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
LOVED this regency romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
story was told through Frank and Jane’s alternating viewpoints.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Frank
and Jane have a great friends to lovers’ vibe and also have some great witty
banter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ll
admit that I liked them both much more in this novel than I did in the original
Emma novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jane
and Frank were both raised by others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Frank still has a father, but he gave him to rich relatives to raise
after his mother died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both
troubled by their situations in life and how they are not in control of their own
destinies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While
Jane was raised well by a happy family, Frank was raised by a distant aunt and uncle
who taught him to look down on people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed how Jane and Frank bonded over poetry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
also enjoyed getting to know Mr. Dixon and Cassandra (Miss Campbell).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were both delightful secondary
characters, although I felt so bad about their unrequited love story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cassandra loved Mr. Dixon, but he loved Jane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was hope at the end though that Mr.
Dixon would grow in his love for Cassandra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was much more suited to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
thought it was interesting to see the anti-Irish sentiment against Mr. Dixon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
overall question in this novel was should you marry for love or for wealth and
security?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an all-important
question in this time period.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
prequel really made me see how this romance between Jane and Frank will work
and how much they have in common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
want this to be a trilogy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book two can take
place during the events with Emma through their marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book three can take place after their marriage
and be a romance between one of their children and the children of the Dixons
or Knightleys.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the author’s note about the song “The Irishman” that was used in the
story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
I have been doing lately, I started this physical book and then finished it on
audiobook as I have had a lot of driving time for work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This story worked well in both formats.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, Finding Jane Fairfax by Robbin J. Peterson is
a riveting prequel to Emma that finally gives Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill
the story they deserve.</span></p><br /><b><u>BOOK DESCRIPTION</u></b><br />Jane Fairfax knows she is truly fortunate. Most orphans face lives of hardship, whereas she was adopted by doting surrogate parents who elevated her place in Society and love her as their own. Yet even they cannot shield her from the grim realities of life without a suitable marriage. In moments of despair, Jane comforts herself with a well-worn memory: that of a young man whose kind words when they were children once soothed her heartbreak. But now that boy has grown into a dashing gentleman―and their lives could not be more distant.<br /><br />Frank Churchill is a prisoner of his station. His inheritance is held in the balance by his demanding aunt, and the weight of her expectations is suffocating him. But when a chance encounter brings the lovely Miss Fairfax back into his life, he discovers what it is to truly live. As the pair secretly become acquainted amid the confines of Society’s strict rules, their friendship blossoms into love. But in a world ruled by unyielding traditions, endeavoring to build a life together would mean inviting a scandal that would shake the very foundation of the ton.<br /><br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNoyUmCCYFYmtc53aBq0EBoCcQbSZNeBoQD-LQZlTjujFxbZN-p7BwdqKGRcdFo_OKxmogUFLyHfk50Ud4znr0uYcSr8UbCGfQMFV93Wvcd8ttCuQClXM8vIWGAZOTX2cpOdT89Dl_NY5_bmaSdMNHiTl-k-dpA0aM2jbLLQAP7a1rk4eTNzqKIiBAqk/s1080/Robbin%20J%20Peterson%20author%20headshot%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNoyUmCCYFYmtc53aBq0EBoCcQbSZNeBoQD-LQZlTjujFxbZN-p7BwdqKGRcdFo_OKxmogUFLyHfk50Ud4znr0uYcSr8UbCGfQMFV93Wvcd8ttCuQClXM8vIWGAZOTX2cpOdT89Dl_NY5_bmaSdMNHiTl-k-dpA0aM2jbLLQAP7a1rk4eTNzqKIiBAqk/s320/Robbin%20J%20Peterson%20author%20headshot%202024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><u>AUTHOR BIO</u></b><br />Robbin J. Peterson is the author of Going Home, Conviction, and 13 Days of Girls Camp. She earned her degree in English literature from Utah State University and her associate of arts degree from Snow College. She has six kids, plays the viola, and works as an elementary school librarian.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /></div>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-62908052347785527062024-03-13T07:33:00.006-05:002024-03-13T21:06:18.548-05:00Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly (Austenprose PR Book Tour)<div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjBBoN6Pz5QmWSi1sZ9CMjnrWSQmCbv2pEZBzJPrjG5cTwFzxXzUybVeMhGAlt7MbsE5j1N0rSUmUViTzHsTEljijHCzk-CbK2h5wtFMV9ugeRbuBDNnOmfLPRGkWjwk6180CcgnSPLF1AoYBmBUGcs-r8IkjiqKImWZKVsInvJtOiKCx45eyfJ56VE8/s1080/Hidden%20Yellow%20Stars%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjBBoN6Pz5QmWSi1sZ9CMjnrWSQmCbv2pEZBzJPrjG5cTwFzxXzUybVeMhGAlt7MbsE5j1N0rSUmUViTzHsTEljijHCzk-CbK2h5wtFMV9ugeRbuBDNnOmfLPRGkWjwk6180CcgnSPLF1AoYBmBUGcs-r8IkjiqKImWZKVsInvJtOiKCx45eyfJ56VE8/s320/Hidden%20Yellow%20Stars%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hidden Yellow Stars<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rebecca Connolly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caroline Hewitt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher: Shadow
Mountain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Length:
Approximately 9 hours and 59 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Source: Purchased
from Amazon.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you Shadow
Mountain and Austenprose for the Review copy of the physical book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ofr0ZIgFyBa9Fb143IAa7aQC9ot2qwBGzBepyjdZ6bXjhDJKZWSJAIBKAMlG-OcOQ98m4cqlTUCZmbe_xgRgQccHjvFiDvKwtt4nSODkLq7JqVaab-ki7qBOquWXdCLa6h0iKppzQGvPpW2dskP1lWZCCxx2kGV1Yw_8nwIo8tmPJCAWRdd-3DcrScc/s1500/Hidden%20Yellow%20Stars%202024.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="993" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ofr0ZIgFyBa9Fb143IAa7aQC9ot2qwBGzBepyjdZ6bXjhDJKZWSJAIBKAMlG-OcOQ98m4cqlTUCZmbe_xgRgQccHjvFiDvKwtt4nSODkLq7JqVaab-ki7qBOquWXdCLa6h0iKppzQGvPpW2dskP1lWZCCxx2kGV1Yw_8nwIo8tmPJCAWRdd-3DcrScc/s320/Hidden%20Yellow%20Stars%202024.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Would you risk your life to save another?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly is based on
the true story of two women who hid Jewish children throughout Belgium during
WWII to save them from the Gestapo. Andree Geulen is an aethest who was raised
Catholic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a teacher who did not
like the treatment of the Jewish children in her classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She teams with Ida Sterno, a non-practicing
Jewish woman who works for the Committee for the Defense of Jews (CDJ) in
Belgium. Will they be able to keep their own lives as they save the lives of
others?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hidden
Yellow Stars is an emotional read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was so hard for parents to give up their children without knowing what the
future will hold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will they ever be
reunited?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
novel was suspenseful with many near misses as the children are taken away for
safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This
book was thought provoking as I kept thinking about if such a thing happened in
modern times, what would I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many
Belgian families helped out others during this terrible time at great risk to
their entire family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would hope that I
would do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hidden
Yellow Stars is told through alternative view points of either Andree or
Ida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was a good way to get
different perspectives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Quotes
at the start of the chapters included some particularly vile lines about Jews
from Nazi childrens books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
believe they were in children’s books.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There
was a great afterword and author’s note at the end of the book about the real
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three thousand children were
hidden in Belgium during WWII.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
really enjoyed getting to know the stories of Andree Geulen and Ida Sterno and
the important work that they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a perfect read for Women’s History month.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Andree
Geulen’s ability to remember every child was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As
I’ve been doing lately, I started reading this book physically, but then
switched over to audiobook as I had a lot driving time for work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both ways are a great way to enjoy this book.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, Hidden Yellow Stars finally brings to light
the story of two WWII heroes that I had never heard about before, Andree
Guelen, and Ida Sterno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a story
that you will not soon forget.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Author Rebecca Connolly also had in the author's note how she was able to find out her own family history through writing this book which was inspiring.</p><br /><b><u>BOOK DESCRIPTION</u></b><br /><br />Based on the true story of two World War II heroines who risked everything to save Jewish children from the Gestapo by hiding them throughout Belgium.<br /><br />Belgium, 1942<br /><br />Young schoolteacher Andrée Geulen secretly defies the Nazis in Belgium, who are forcing Jews to wear a yellow Star of David. Andrée is not Jewish, but she feels a maternal connection to her students, who are living in constant fear, and decides to take action. No child should have to suffer under such persecution. But what can one woman do against an entire army?<br /><br />Ida Sterno is a Jewish woman who works with the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium, a clandestine resistance group tasked with hiding children from the Gestapo. She wants to recruit Andrée because her Aryan appearance can provide crucial security measures for their efforts. Andrée agrees to join and begins work immediately by adopting a code name: Claude Fournier.<br /><br />Together, Andrée and Ida, and their undercover operatives, work around the clock to move Jewish children from their families and smuggle them to safety through the secret channels established by the resistance. As each child is hidden, Andrée commits to memory their true name and history. Someday, she vows, she will help reunite as many of these families as she can.<br /><br /><br />But with the Gestapo closing in and the traitorous Fat Jacques who has turned from ally to enemy and is threatening to identify and expose any Jew he meets, Andrée and Ida must work even harder against increasingly impossible odds to save as many children as possible and keep them safely hidden—even if it might cost them their own lives.<br /><br /><b><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs8OhJvPWlpMvV7eXRQkbEYNgMmsYsUjvIbIAc5PQval_H8k3-oGDRG6QYLT47ZbN6IfVFlETfpUDBH5k6W79kVtdzCWHeh7lMoD__8eYavkwjp-pfq3XNm4RXPqUXrSYYVNfvv_ria7siD3tV2TTOeVXUtA3Twq2_RMKtQMhL7qfWNm1vu3xcLrw0Wo/s1080/Author%20Rebecca%20Connolly%20X%201080.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs8OhJvPWlpMvV7eXRQkbEYNgMmsYsUjvIbIAc5PQval_H8k3-oGDRG6QYLT47ZbN6IfVFlETfpUDBH5k6W79kVtdzCWHeh7lMoD__8eYavkwjp-pfq3XNm4RXPqUXrSYYVNfvv_ria7siD3tV2TTOeVXUtA3Twq2_RMKtQMhL7qfWNm1vu3xcLrw0Wo/s320/Author%20Rebecca%20Connolly%20X%201080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />AUTHOR BIO</u></b><br /><br />Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master's degree from West Virginia University.<br /><br />While doing research for this book, she discovered information about her own family history, including the fates of several unknown family members who perished in the concentration camps of World War II.<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-86163446710566461732024-03-11T19:14:00.002-05:002024-03-11T19:14:42.614-05:00The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZvaQPDwsNjVKny8c79Rr91t7NBqQWnG3tNHIYJPaSNoLX6bHF10Wixgzh6NWX2j1G5xWX8tIYwYVpfXMDtCKxIkpZeBniyeGbKch-lqj8wI5hwhjzyi0F2XKS_kxba0V8N3fV6Gb4imegBnxIzUklqNbUs7PJsd_s8ZAGJAIKSmK_wSxUYLM7BskKEk/s2775/great%20divide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZvaQPDwsNjVKny8c79Rr91t7NBqQWnG3tNHIYJPaSNoLX6bHF10Wixgzh6NWX2j1G5xWX8tIYwYVpfXMDtCKxIkpZeBniyeGbKch-lqj8wI5hwhjzyi0F2XKS_kxba0V8N3fV6Gb4imegBnxIzUklqNbUs7PJsd_s8ZAGJAIKSmK_wSxUYLM7BskKEk/s320/great%20divide.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @eccobooks for the
review copy of The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you a mood reader? Or do you make elaborate plans
before you choose reading?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do make elaborate
plans on what I’m going to read, but I do veer off with varying moods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Great Divide was a late book added into
my March reading and I veered into reading it as I was greatly intrigued by the
premise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1907, people are all gathering in Panama to work on
one of the wonders of the world, the Panama Canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ada left her home in Barbados to look for a
job to earn money to pay for medical procedures to help her sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Oswald hires her to be a caregiver to
his wife, Marian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marian and John had
traveled to Panama from Tennessee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
is a scientist that is working on the cure for malaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marian is a scientist herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Omar does not want to be a fisherman like his
father and has set off on an adventure of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will these characters’ stories intertwine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how will they intertwine with the many
other characters in this novel?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this story:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Great Divide gave a great overall sense of how many people from all different
places and walks of life that it took to build the Panama Canal, and how it
impacted the people that lived there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sickness
was very prevalent and terrifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Malaria
killed so many people that were working on or supporting the work on the canal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There
were a lot of characters in this story, and it took awhile to build up the
story and figure out how they were all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked learning the connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like an interwoven tapestry of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
there were a lot of characters, I wish there would have been a character list
and family trees at the start of the book for me to reference as I was first
getting into the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
was a great character driven novel and I found it to be intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not plot driven, so it was a slower
read for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
description of the location made me feel like I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to visit Panama someday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
wish there would have been details about the engineering and construction of
the canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m an engineer and I was
first attracted to this book because the back of the cover described the Panama
Canal as a major historical engineering feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is about as much engineering as you will get with this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all about the characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Great Divide made me think about how many people it takes to build such great
engineering marvels and how they are the unsung heroes that don’t usually get
their story told.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking
of unsung heroes, I don’t want to spoil a plot point, but I thought it was interesting
when a female character passed away and how her obituary only really discussed
her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes you wonder how many
stories we don’t know about people after they passed, especially women.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez was historical
fiction as its best, telling the interwoven stories of many people at a key
point in history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> This book was published on March 5, 2024.</o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-90734681932221974982024-03-09T07:47:00.000-06:002024-03-09T07:47:10.478-06:00An Unlikely Proposition by Rosalyn Eves (Austenprose PR Book Tour)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJPSCQIWkqpXiRD7L5b7W7GFzaQzZhzc0hu5-tNKz-i1fjFjuF0TjiiW8WwYPsKO_s5RA5NJB5mVFEOQN2OqpBoL-wuSUWnBs5ynapaB376D9GdywpX6HGmSzSSc77T3EN4df9-8euEHotlA1KUeDFhEdZFDEApvgiiTMwjMH8zO0pUyhyphenhyphenhVHXutmGQI/s400/unlikely%20proposition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJPSCQIWkqpXiRD7L5b7W7GFzaQzZhzc0hu5-tNKz-i1fjFjuF0TjiiW8WwYPsKO_s5RA5NJB5mVFEOQN2OqpBoL-wuSUWnBs5ynapaB376D9GdywpX6HGmSzSSc77T3EN4df9-8euEHotlA1KUeDFhEdZFDEApvgiiTMwjMH8zO0pUyhyphenhyphenhVHXutmGQI/s320/unlikely%20proposition.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Unlikely Proposition<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rosalyn Eves<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hannah Curtis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:
Recorded Books<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Purchased
from Amazon.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you Farrar Straus
Giroux and Austenprose for the Review copy of the physical book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lady’s maid, companion, or Lady?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you lived during the Regency time period,
which would you be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always imagined myself
as a paid companion or governess if I lived during that time period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Eleanor is a young widow of only seventeen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has come to London to enjoy herself, make
sure her late husband’s mathematical work is published, and ensure that she is
not pestered by men looking for marriage. She hires a companion, Thalia, to accompany
her around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thalia herself had a failed
first season and dreamed of becoming a published poet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will Eleanor and Thalia both find the
happiness they crave?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Eleanor’s
back story reminded me of A Little Princess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What happens when your parent stops paying for your schooling, and you
have no where to go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, the
much older Mr. Lockhart rescued the sixteen-year-old Eleanor through marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were fun
and had relatable problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt for
Thalia as she struggled to have her poems taken seriously and be published
because she was a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eleanor’s search
for a place of her own in the world was also relatable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be their friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
novel includes a fake engagement, and friends to lovers storyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed both tropes and loved the double
romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
didn’t know until I read on Goodreads that this is considered the second book
in a series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a parallel novel in
the Unexpected Seasons series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to
check out the first book, An Improbably Season as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Unlikely Proposition worked as a
standalone novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
have also seen this described as a young adult book, but I loved reading it as
an adult!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
is a good clean read and only includes kissing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
novel was told from two point of view, Eleanor’s and Thalia’s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
was a great escapism read.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
started reading this as a physical book, but I had a lot of driving to do so I
switched to the audiobook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed
both the physical book and the audiobook.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, An Unlikely Proposition is an enjoyable,
witty Regency Romance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are
looking for an escapism read, I highly recommend this novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-24121587285717527352024-03-08T12:19:00.000-06:002024-03-08T12:20:00.995-06:00Rising Courage by Heather Moll (Book Tour) and GIVEAWAY!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNvs8zMzUgQ4yb5uiyEU0AUWZCwSgs-kIfftdmHkAHtzkj9ezp9oefvAB25yzf7eoZzfVjEh_Ug8y7C9_zJ3vOf_utdul-yd6SKF5y-yXYFh1SD9f_1RQW5-_JfYYN1WVtRgn-oBaGh0uxr0SHFzy6HFrWa0yPcEKoG8rJFVFG1Mbm5Lh973xycU8jXo/s445/rising%20courage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNvs8zMzUgQ4yb5uiyEU0AUWZCwSgs-kIfftdmHkAHtzkj9ezp9oefvAB25yzf7eoZzfVjEh_Ug8y7C9_zJ3vOf_utdul-yd6SKF5y-yXYFh1SD9f_1RQW5-_JfYYN1WVtRgn-oBaGh0uxr0SHFzy6HFrWa0yPcEKoG8rJFVFG1Mbm5Lh973xycU8jXo/s320/rising%20courage.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you read any books that feature kidnapping?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book I always think of that featured
kidnapping was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney, which I read
in middle school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always enjoy the
suspense of kidnapping, and especially enjoy when the main character escapes
and is able to return home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rising Courage is a Pride and Prejudice variation
which asks the question, what if Elizabeth and Darcy were kidnapped after his first
proposal?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will forced proximity
alter their romance?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on Rising Courage:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
love that instead of reading a response letter from Darcy after her refusal of
his first proposal, she learns everything directly from him while they are held
hostage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
REALLY loved the forced proximity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
felt like they really got to know each other better than a typical couple would
during Regency times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
romance was tender and romantic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
novel does get steamy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
chuckled when I realized that of course Lady Catherine was the cause of all the
problems.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
thought it was an interesting side note that Darcy didn’t use sugar due to the slave
trade and I loved learning about his bees and beekeepers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the action in this novel as well, although I was worried about what the
kidnappers would do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was thrilling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the child Kirby in the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
had a difficult life, and I liked the humanity that both Darcy and Elizabeth
showed him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author
Heather Moll has a great writing style and really captures the personalities of
Elizabeth, Darcy, and other Pride and Prejudice characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially like the inside jokes that
Elizabeth and Darcy had with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elizabeth
makes a decision towards the end that I did not agree with, but I did enjoy the
suspense.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isn’t
the cover of this novel beautiful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darcy is very dreamy.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, Rising Courage was an enjoyable romantic suspense
story with a great forced proximity storyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a great read for all lovers of Austenesque fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Book Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review copy from author Heather Moll as part
of the Book Tour. Thank-you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opinions
expressed in this review are completely my own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b388cc4812/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="b388cc4812" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_5vjjc0h2">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-57124487907006985392024-03-07T06:44:00.000-06:002024-03-07T06:44:35.911-06:00A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell (Austenprose PR Book Tour)<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSp8BVGETezlDPkaUQR14ocKZp1zYi3a8JbQZHBoO5xq8OvI64S4Pp6aeuZpoB4JBvgI22QmcYXZu3Wd28p1mYSvjPNFeuEFmImZMrZAVIqXt-fIbDZ2vwztvsGdo7H52ryGDPSwVHpeBbYA3RCw6QtoyQnndJ7z6-OcFmOS-sOQE1hDROtmF0_gHXfw/s1080/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSp8BVGETezlDPkaUQR14ocKZp1zYi3a8JbQZHBoO5xq8OvI64S4Pp6aeuZpoB4JBvgI22QmcYXZu3Wd28p1mYSvjPNFeuEFmImZMrZAVIqXt-fIbDZ2vwztvsGdo7H52ryGDPSwVHpeBbYA3RCw6QtoyQnndJ7z6-OcFmOS-sOQE1hDROtmF0_gHXfw/s320/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela Bell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beverley A. Crick<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:
Recorded Books<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 12 hours and 28 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Purchased
from Amazon.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you Bethany House
and Austenprose for the Review copy of the physical book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is a
historical fantasy novel set in 1860s London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Clara feels the weight of the world on her shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her engagement is broken, and her fiancé has
been spreading the rumor that madness runs in her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her family is …eccentric. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When her Grandfather Drosselmeyer sets off on a
European trip on his flying owl, he leaves her clues to find him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sets off on an adventure around Europe
with her mother, and her Grandfather’s apprentice, Mr. Arthur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they be able to find her grandfather
before it is too late?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
adventure, clues, and travel made this a very fun read.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clara’s
eccentric mother was a hoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an
animal activist before her time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was no creature too small for her care.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mr.
Arthur has a sad back story of his own and is really Mr. Theodore
Kingsley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a former soldier that struggles
with a leg disability and with PTSD. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
family had shunned him because of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was little support for veterans during
the Victorian age.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clara
and Theodore had wonderful enemies to lovers’ romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the Christian message in the novel that Clara and Theodore needed to
give their worries to the lord and move on with their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message was a part of the plot, and it
was a larger focus in the second half of the novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GQnmWxsXV9BuOWHPMCjOqpYnWI7U1-mpVJyRKjBcHa7D0eY7OK5kfoLvlJv85dM3H8Hfi2D97JyrgAGZ9Buu8FrhaiHWMgMdCEJ1kXl_65hrVE2vL1rXjAZYmLkjwy7NbTI8fDHnVjAnCGrNoWBThKoKTpRY2KeJYA1h6_ed2q4HDmyQDSVqCrqQG68/s1500/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20to%20Marvels%20and%20Misadventure%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GQnmWxsXV9BuOWHPMCjOqpYnWI7U1-mpVJyRKjBcHa7D0eY7OK5kfoLvlJv85dM3H8Hfi2D97JyrgAGZ9Buu8FrhaiHWMgMdCEJ1kXl_65hrVE2vL1rXjAZYmLkjwy7NbTI8fDHnVjAnCGrNoWBThKoKTpRY2KeJYA1h6_ed2q4HDmyQDSVqCrqQG68/s320/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20to%20Marvels%20and%20Misadventure%202024.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
was a wonderful debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what author Angela Bell
works on next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
novel is a clean romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved the steampunk vibe with the automatons that grandfather invented
including the giant owl that he flies around Europe on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also invents an automaton that hatches
from an egg and other neat items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
leant a fantasy/sci fi element to an otherwise historical fiction novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
only weakness in the novel to me was the villain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His back story and actions didn’t quite make
sense to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
read the first half of this book physically and finished it on audiobook as I
had a lot of driving to do for work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
enjoyed both formats!<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures is
a fun, unique adventure and I highly recommend it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-82158649128370608712024-03-06T20:29:00.006-06:002024-03-06T20:29:40.404-06:00The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-TomOKiAKKDPHt-q3XJtoCEO3KWiIqWNyhYN_nit5FSaGW3gHB-KDAVut6V6SC3iJKwe8rCqZq0PLBxgG9-2sRo7bXtTgCGy2s4gkcZPgPwwooBieEABDrLHL83HUCHOvAuuVYwfXE5s1kqs9TqI9UcdM7BHl79QYxXEn8wpzscvE-2TCEVJBs5Ah78/s400/outsiders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="273" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-TomOKiAKKDPHt-q3XJtoCEO3KWiIqWNyhYN_nit5FSaGW3gHB-KDAVut6V6SC3iJKwe8rCqZq0PLBxgG9-2sRo7bXtTgCGy2s4gkcZPgPwwooBieEABDrLHL83HUCHOvAuuVYwfXE5s1kqs9TqI9UcdM7BHl79QYxXEn8wpzscvE-2TCEVJBs5Ah78/s320/outsiders.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Outsiders<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S.E. Hinton<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spike McClure<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:
Recorded Books, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 5 hours and 48 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Checked
out with Hoopla through the Kewaunee Public Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is your favorite book that you read in middle
school?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t really remember being
assigned books in middle school, just short stories, but I loved reading R.L.
Stine, Christopher Pike, the Nancy Drew Case Files, and Sweet Valley High
during that time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I somehow missed reading The Outsiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My two boys read it and enjoyed it in middle
school and my daughter has just started to read it at school this week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed it was one of the top hundred
favorite books in the PBS Great American Read in 2018. I finally read The
Outsiders myself in January as part of the #classicbuddyread hosted by
@dees.reads.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ponybox Curtis is a fourteen-year-old orphan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has two older brothers that take care of
him and want him to have a better life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over a two-week period, he struggles with what is right and wrong in
life between his group, the greasers, and the rich kids, the socs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a tragedy occurs, how will Ponyboy and
his friends handle it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on the novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It
started off slow for me, but I got sucked into the story and I couldn’t quit
listening to the audiobook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
was shocked and moved by the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s
amazing to me that this book was written by a teenager, and I think it really
helps it to speak to teens.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
is a found family story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that
Ponyboy learns to appreciate his brothers and understand their sacrifices as
the story progresses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ponyboy
realizes that his enemies are people too who make both good and bad decisions
and are loved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">People
make assumptions about the greasers, but they can also be heroic and good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t judge a person by their appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There
was a LOT of smoking in this novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
had never watched the classic 80’s movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I finally watched it over the weekend, and it was pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bravo to whoever the casting director
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how they wrangled that
many future stars into one movie.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Favorite Quote, “It seemed funny to me that the sunset
she saw from her patio and the one I saw from the back steps was the same one.
Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren't so different. We saw the
same sunset.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton was a good book
and definitely worth reading, even as an adult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-63101140656889622142024-02-27T15:55:00.005-06:002024-02-27T15:55:37.591-06:00The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7a5d21tuaY6_0wOb1GMDFUbdnGkBKvji4Djv0L3k4tAy_KeeZzBYPr5FQP5lJt4eTgcaELMMfEU8oQvGiMN4RDLf8zwgTDoOYDizHPzrOZaUL0we9qok3dOzFMRZSjQM7y5YvfgX_b1xr-OVRG_o13Gv54VV-ot-c8FeFeXodpfW_rysJ1QT3nhZ6uk/s2775/hidden%20life%20of%20cecily%20larson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7a5d21tuaY6_0wOb1GMDFUbdnGkBKvji4Djv0L3k4tAy_KeeZzBYPr5FQP5lJt4eTgcaELMMfEU8oQvGiMN4RDLf8zwgTDoOYDizHPzrOZaUL0we9qok3dOzFMRZSjQM7y5YvfgX_b1xr-OVRG_o13Gv54VV-ot-c8FeFeXodpfW_rysJ1QT3nhZ6uk/s320/hidden%20life%20of%20cecily%20larson.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @marinerbooks for
the review copy of The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever been to the circus? I remember watching
live broadcasts of circuses as a child, but I have never actually been to a
circus. I visited the Circus World Museum in Baraboo Wisconsin which had some
live shows. That is the closest I have got!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you have been to the circus, what is your favorite act?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cecily Larson is a ninety-four-year-old woman and
pillar of the community living in Itasca, Minnesota in 2015. After a fall, she
finds herself bed bound and pondering her life. Should she tell her family the
secret she has been keeping her entire life? As a four-year-old, Cecily was dropped
off at an orphanage by her widowed mother who had a new boyfriend who did not
want children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At age seven, she was bought
by a man for a circus act and traveled the Midwest as one of the stars of the
show. When she falls for a new roustabout in the circus in her teens, her life
is about to change forever. How will her hidden life impact her family and
herself?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
could not put this book down. It was one that I just wanted to take time off
work to finish reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
book was described as the Orphan Train meets Water for Elephants, both books I greatly
enjoyed. I agree with this assessment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
really liked how this was a family drama that goes through time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an overall mystery of Cecily’s life
and I wanted to know how it all worked out. There is a lot of loss, heartbreak,
and love in this novel. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There
are many different viewpoints over time. I liked this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cecily, her daughter, and granddaughter all
have viewpoints. Cecily has a viewpoint both in the past and in 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a mysterious other viewpoint
that comes in about halfway through the novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I figured it out right away but was not quite sure of the details until
I read further into the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
main theme of this book was really about adoption, losing a child, being given
away, babies being stolen, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
story really made me think about how DNA results can really change people’s
lives and understanding of their own history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
story also made me really think about unwed mothers and how they were so badly
treated in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved learning about Cecily’s time at the circus and how she learned to become
an expert horse rider. There was a lot of abuse and a dark side to the circus. I
loved how her mentor Isabelle protected her, but I was not prepared for when
she turned on her at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved that the circus wintered in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, which is about forty
minutes north of where I live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
circus made many stops in and around Wisconsin in familiar locations that were
fun to read about.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Favorite Quote: “Cecily felt the collapse like it was
her own hope – a thing she’d been carrying all these years without even
realizing the weight of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson was a
riveting family drama and historical fiction novel that focused on adoption. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree with the assessment that it is perfect
for fans of The Orphan Train and Water for Elephants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-34750649069094219232024-02-26T11:36:00.004-06:002024-02-26T12:07:27.319-06:00Burma Sahib by Paul Theroux (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQoI5NxZG2chMDP7LFkgfC7aDSG0EMN2eVF686pK26h0oxjniP61zq4ce0Cst0PB_sOKu0-Scy0f0ynHv4D3S3Z63ymRo4rQtpVhdyXVufLMZLMPIB8g0LaST3rN_VndHwqfFhTbLHTMWLsSc98SYxIsRBJ5jBtP8BaHc_n5Gs6O8A8coCWcH5bkfHPg/s385/Burma%20sahib.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQoI5NxZG2chMDP7LFkgfC7aDSG0EMN2eVF686pK26h0oxjniP61zq4ce0Cst0PB_sOKu0-Scy0f0ynHv4D3S3Z63ymRo4rQtpVhdyXVufLMZLMPIB8g0LaST3rN_VndHwqfFhTbLHTMWLsSc98SYxIsRBJ5jBtP8BaHc_n5Gs6O8A8coCWcH5bkfHPg/s320/Burma%20sahib.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Thank you, Partner <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bibliolifestyle/">@bibliolifestyle</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marinerbooks/">@marinerbooks</a> for the review copy of Burma Sahib by Paul Theroux.<br /><div><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>#Bookfeature<p></p><p>What literary figures would you like to learn more about? I always love reading fiction about my favorite authors. I don't know anything about George Orwell except for the fact that he wrote 1984 and it was very disturbing. This new historical fiction novel looks like a fascinating new look into his life and inspirations.</p><br /><b>SYNOPSIS: </b><br /><br />“Paul Theroux has exploited this biographical lacuna with great shrewdness and gusto… his fictional account of Blair’s life there [Burma] is a valid and entirely credible attempt to add flesh to the skeletal facts we have of this time. […]this novel is one of his finest, in a long and redoubtable oeuvre.” —New York Times Book Review<br /><br />From the acclaimed author of The Mosquito Coast and The Bad Angel Brothers comes a riveting new novel exploring one of English literature’s most beloved and controversial figures—George Orwell—and the early years as an officer in colonial Burma that transformed him from Eric Blair, the British Raj policeman, into Orwell the anticolonial writer.<br /><br />At age nineteen, young Eton graduate Eric Blair set sail for India, dreading the assignment ahead. Along with several other young conscripts, he would be trained for three years as a servant of the British Empire, overseeing the local policemen in Burma. Navigating the social, racial, and class politics of his fellow British at the same time as he learned the local languages and struggled to control his men would prove difficult enough. But doing all of this while grappling with his own self-worth, his sense that he was not cut out for this, is soon overwhelming for the young Blair. Eventually, his clashes with his superiors, and the drama that unfolds in this hot, beautiful land, will change him forever.<br /><br />What do you think?</div>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-43795110386027493432024-02-25T22:17:00.003-06:002024-02-25T22:23:08.356-06:00King: A Life by Jonathan Eig<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDM5Jzw-RpOyJz95hXb3NUiXgCDx_sp-inMgneEKOamPZ-eYL479ePS0xXALWR0up7ilyDbE6n7HOmc5t7-BtIDNpKTxiJz4hLO6fuaCm26XY2SGDDrbr6Z7p9pguuEKYJwjdLhdma44C5tpGdGY_REKkr1V0-42zjVMEJDFhYw2lKGsTPVh7ag8QEps/s500/king%20a%20life.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDM5Jzw-RpOyJz95hXb3NUiXgCDx_sp-inMgneEKOamPZ-eYL479ePS0xXALWR0up7ilyDbE6n7HOmc5t7-BtIDNpKTxiJz4hLO6fuaCm26XY2SGDDrbr6Z7p9pguuEKYJwjdLhdma44C5tpGdGY_REKkr1V0-42zjVMEJDFhYw2lKGsTPVh7ag8QEps/s320/king%20a%20life.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan Eig<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dion Graham<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher: Macmillan
Audio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Length:
Approximately 20 hours and 45 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Source: Review
Copy from NetGalley <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever read a biography about Martin Luther
King Jr.?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized when this new
biography of Martin Luther King Jr. came out last year that I’ve only read
biographies of him written for children and it was more than time for me to
read a biography of him written for adults.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">King:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Life is
the first major new biography about Martin Luther King Jr in over forty
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it states in the
introduction, this book is the biography of the real man, not of a saint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a man with sins, doubts, and
depression, but he also had a great vision for mankind and was a loving father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a comprehensive biography that
included interviews with a lot of different people in King’s life, his father’s
unpublished biography, other biographies of those in his life (like his wife),
and the FBI files that have been released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a great overall look at King the man and the work that he did
with his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My main takeaways were:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">King
suffered from what is now thought to be depression and anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had anxiety attacks when he talked about
how he may be killed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">People
were trying to kill him all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was stabbed in the chest a book signing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A bomb was place at this family home, but luckily didn’t go off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was constantly under threat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It
seemed strange that so many people wanted to use violence against a man who
promoted non-violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">White
people thought that King was radical, while black people thought he was too
conservative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">King
cheated on Coretta Scott King from the moment they were dating and all through
their married life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a really hard
time with this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that other
powerful men at the time such as JFK did the same thing, but King was a
pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flagrant flouting of the ten
commandments really bothered me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking
of Coretta Scott King, I want to read more about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a strong and smart woman on her own
right that had to put her ambitions aside to become Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
FBI and President Johnson were obsessed with King’s extramarital affairs and
bringing him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">King’s
children found out about his death on TV which I thought was heartbreaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">King
tried to make a social change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though he used nonviolent methods, it caused strife, riots, burnings, personal persecution,
and assassination.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
amount that Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished before dying at age 39 is
amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved the narrator of this audiobook, Dion Graham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a deep soothing voice that was
wonderful for narration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also
able to capture King’s cadence when he read quotes by him.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, King:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Life by Jonathan Eig was a fascinating and deep look into the man
behind the martyr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am glad that I read
this book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-61552578058134143842024-02-23T11:17:00.002-06:002024-02-23T11:17:32.603-06:00Chasing the Horizon by Mary Connealy (Austenprose PR Tour)<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjIHbkZnUIBoElOJBbUIcwG0hbiULacJ94mA1BcC7g137f2LK4V1ORTm8lZs7A9X5zpvmr7pUJhPRYWm9Y22Sdswk_ZeNMIiSR2qf6bgOZTMOlAXc5_fXa_0HyJ6ufpQ0sGCZhdsleI2TIpudYKA5ld3UpbK1O-LO1L0D2LUJ1glNYOtFQCZ38nAOROI/s1080/Chasing%20the%20Horizon%20Book%20Tour%20Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjIHbkZnUIBoElOJBbUIcwG0hbiULacJ94mA1BcC7g137f2LK4V1ORTm8lZs7A9X5zpvmr7pUJhPRYWm9Y22Sdswk_ZeNMIiSR2qf6bgOZTMOlAXc5_fXa_0HyJ6ufpQ0sGCZhdsleI2TIpudYKA5ld3UpbK1O-LO1L0D2LUJ1glNYOtFQCZ38nAOROI/s320/Chasing%20the%20Horizon%20Book%20Tour%20Graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did you ever play the
game, Oregon Trail?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved playing it
on computers when I was in middle school, even though I always seemed to die of
dysentery on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe this is why
I became an environmental engineer concerned with water quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a card game version that my kids like
to play.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Beth Rutledge has worked
for years putting together a plan to rescue her mother, Ginny, from the insane
asylum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father committed her mother
to get rid of her since she did not follow his commands or allow him access to
her and her daughter’s trust funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beth
spirits her mother away from Chicago and onto the Orgon Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the trail, guide Jake is attracted to Beth
and wonders why she is running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will Beth
and Ginny be able to escape?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will love
find Jake and Beth on the trail?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What I enjoyed in this
novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was action packed right from the first
chapter and the suspense continued throughout the novel as Beth’s father continued
his pursuit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The characters were all well drawn and
interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is a very good look at how dangerous and
hard it was for pioneers as they made their way west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a horrifying accident that results
in the loss of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I also like how it showed the melting pot
that America was at the time with various immigrants joining American raised
pioneers heading west looking for a better life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This novel was also a good look into how few
rights women had at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men could
just declare a woman insane for any reason and have her locked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I loved how Beth’s father had Pinkerton
agents after her and he slowly figures out how she has been working for years
to learn the skills required for her escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I loved her very detailed plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The romance in this novel was sweet and
included one of my favorite tropes, a marriage of convenience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a clean read, and it was faith based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a prayer and service after the
wagon accident and other discussions of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The morning service was full of Bible services about strength and hope
and loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s love was woven generously
through it all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I also love how Beth was able to put
together so many people to be a “family” to help with the escape and to settle
together in Idaho.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is Book 1 of the new A Western Light book
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story will continue in book
two which will be out this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first chapter was included at the end of this book, and I am ready to read it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ending of Chasing the Horizon did not
feel complete, and I am ready to read more about these characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, I enjoyed this pioneer suspense and adventure
on the Oregon Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the
characters and can’t wait to read more about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Book Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review copy from author Bethany House
Publishing as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Ji5dke1m9yKcwRdRvNvI5XKPR8tttouXrojQ4pJZeCo9Cfzlca3eLY4yQXni2NUqbkaMsgLA5n4WguDpKx7bSf97p9xtR3JwPnMqfu820424XZJFTwuLXGEtIqUeJqQhyPbfR8nu4lckPv3Nu6Btocgk45XJe1RGkss8UqMQpjM6Zkl_tO9E5wzt_w/s1500/Chasing%20the%20Horizon%20cover%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Ji5dke1m9yKcwRdRvNvI5XKPR8tttouXrojQ4pJZeCo9Cfzlca3eLY4yQXni2NUqbkaMsgLA5n4WguDpKx7bSf97p9xtR3JwPnMqfu820424XZJFTwuLXGEtIqUeJqQhyPbfR8nu4lckPv3Nu6Btocgk45XJe1RGkss8UqMQpjM6Zkl_tO9E5wzt_w/s320/Chasing%20the%20Horizon%20cover%202024.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">QUICK FACTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Title</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">:<b> </b>Chasing the Horizon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Series: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">A Western Light (Book 1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Author</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">:<b> </b><a name="_Hlk96784101"></a><a name="_Hlk83486970"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk96784101;">Mary
</span></a>Connealy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">:</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Western
& Frontier Romance <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Publisher</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: Bethany House Publishers
(February 13, 2024)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Length:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> (304) pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Format</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: Hardcover,
Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">ISBN</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: </span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">978-0764242656<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Tour Dates</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: February 12 – 26, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOK DESCRIPTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Her only
chance at freedom waits across the horizon<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br />
Upon uncovering her tyrannical father's malevolent plot to commit her to an
asylum, Beth Rutledge fabricates a plan of her own. She will rescue her mother,
who had already been sent to the asylum, and escape together on a wagon train
heading west. Posing as sisters, Beth and her mother travel with the pioneers
in hopes of making it to Idaho before the others start asking too many
questions.<br />
<br />
Wagon-train scout Jake Holt senses that the mysterious women in his caravan are
running from something. When rumors begin to spread of Pinkerton agents
searching relentlessly for wanted criminals who match the description of those
on his wagon train, including Beth, she begins to open up to him, and he learns
something more sinister is at hand. Can they risk trusting each other with
their lives--and their hearts--when danger threatens their every step?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PRAISE FOR CHASING THE HORIZON<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">"Mary Connealy’s Inspirational
Western Romances have long been on my radar to try, but the new Western
Lights series opener, <i>Chasing the Horizon</i>, was my first
opportunity. Imagine my chagrin when I started reading and didn’t want to
stop. Oh yes, dear friends, I’d waited too long to discover a gem of a
writer."<b>— Sophia Rose, <i>The Reading Frenzy<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">5 STARS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> "What an incredible book! It
kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it.” <b>— Camille
Dayton, <i>Fostering Literacy<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">5 STARS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> “Loved this story! I was intrigued
right from the beginning.”<b>— Melissa Goss, <i>Christian Books and Coffee<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PURCHASE LINKS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SJSafD"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">AMAZON<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk93660399;"></span></span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk93660399"></a><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk93660399;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <a name="_Hlk111811788">| </a></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-the-horizon-mary-connealy/1143717362">BARNES
& NOBLE</a> | </span></b><a href="https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/542746"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PUBLISHER<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk142919019;"></span></span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk142919019"></a><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk142919019;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/chasing-the-horizon-mary-connealy/20204088?ean=9780764242656">BOOKSHOP</a>
<a name="_Hlk142917608">|</a> </span></b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/chasing-the-horizon-a-western-light-book-1-by-mary-connealy"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182093578-chasing-the-horizon"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">AUTHOR BIO<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mary
Connealy </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">writes
romantic comedies with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary
romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is <i>Loving the Texas
Lawman</i>. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with <i>The
Accidental Guardian</i>. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid
Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas,
Montana Marriages, and Sophie's daughters, and has many other books.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She is a
two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy
Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy
hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://maryconnealy.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/maryconnealyfanpage/"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryConnealy"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">X</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/maryconnealy/"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <a name="_Hlk157867529">|</a></span></b><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157867529;"></span>
<a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-connealy"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58306.Mary_Connealy"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-5236831607437235902024-02-22T20:50:00.001-06:002024-02-22T20:50:27.822-06:00To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpu4TVJAWO8LMtHcfHzOA-3uhrR8b9cOumYOlaARRKP35LZgx33LHs4EvNU8q_51KxtFxGTG2XlSCNmWXzQwktI-fwPjw6Tmu75rhpBOV2q5A-H_aQ3p93PtPwFexXsS-N4WbDFO-UbXvHx2uHAJ-dIn9jO3Lt57MilOtiOeVno8ttpkqau6gip5jsPU/s3000/to%20swoon%20and%20to%20spar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpu4TVJAWO8LMtHcfHzOA-3uhrR8b9cOumYOlaARRKP35LZgx33LHs4EvNU8q_51KxtFxGTG2XlSCNmWXzQwktI-fwPjw6Tmu75rhpBOV2q5A-H_aQ3p93PtPwFexXsS-N4WbDFO-UbXvHx2uHAJ-dIn9jO3Lt57MilOtiOeVno8ttpkqau6gip5jsPU/s320/to%20swoon%20and%20to%20spar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title: To Swoon
and to Spar (The Regency Vows novel)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martha Waters<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anais Inara Chase and Joel Froomkin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Simon
& Schuster Audio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Review
Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you @simonandschuster @BookClubFavorites #BookClubFavorites for the free books!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What's your favorite book series?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters is the fourth
novel in the Regency Vows series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fifth
book, To Woo and to Wed just came out this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great regency romance series and I
have fun reading a new novel in it every year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Viscount Penvale has been working and saving for five
years to buy back his family estate, Trethwick Abbey, from his Uncle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is excited when his Uncle finally agrees
to sell . . . if Penvale will marry his ward, Jane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jane is socially awkward and seems to have a waspish
tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penvale seems to Jane to be a
useless aristocrat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they move to
Trethwick Abbey, it seems that the estate is haunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will these two make their relationship work
and is the house really haunted?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What I liked about this novel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved the enemies to lovers story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded
me of Ten Things I Hate About You or Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in
ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved how Jane is a reader and there is much discussion of books, especially
Jane Austen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
haunting of the house reminded me of Northanger Abbey and other Gothic
tales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially loved the set-up of the haunting
in the prologue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed seeing the couples I fell in love with in the past books show up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book does work as a standalone if you
have not read the other books in the series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
humor is fun in this book, especially as it relates to the haunting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
romance in this novel was a slow burn that became steamy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was hilarious that Jane had discovered
a stash of steamy books in the library left by some previous owner that she
read to educate herself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 42.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved the narrators of this audiobook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
two narrators were the two different viewpoints in this book, Jane and
Penvale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially loved narrator Joel
Froomkin’s accent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, this was exactly the fun, light romantic read
I needed right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The haunting
elements brought even more fun to this regency romance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly recommend this book and this series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-77971351970209399982024-02-21T21:01:00.001-06:002024-02-21T21:01:06.206-06:00The Fury by Alex Michaelides<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0_i4QmdERHiKkA8rqC_7YlFhhUKXbAvZ0qCRE8dkm8Ez46SdLTDyYMxelOmUOXCwtpr-L4UAvNigRFPAAGUW5EvQFSPB4uCvl9B2T0k0hdS1cmAzb_JXp7iXxBsMXH-4t9bx8JvPk0NQzr4Vu_0djAWFxMBouQs_gRQ3v70_5gv310vTm1KJhiXgj_0/s2860/fury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="1949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0_i4QmdERHiKkA8rqC_7YlFhhUKXbAvZ0qCRE8dkm8Ez46SdLTDyYMxelOmUOXCwtpr-L4UAvNigRFPAAGUW5EvQFSPB4uCvl9B2T0k0hdS1cmAzb_JXp7iXxBsMXH-4t9bx8JvPk0NQzr4Vu_0djAWFxMBouQs_gRQ3v70_5gv310vTm1KJhiXgj_0/s320/fury.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you like stories with unreliable narrators?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do with two of my favorites being The
Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lana Farrar is a famous ex-movie star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has invited her friends to her private Greek
island for a holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a murder occurs
who is the culprit?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on this thriller:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elliot
Chase, Lana’s best friend, is the first-person narrator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is unreliable and a mystery himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elliot
has a hard time sticking to the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has one surprise in him, but when he gets to a second surprise, it
was too much for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elliot
addresses the audience, breaking the fourth wall, which I liked, but he also
seemed to know things that he wouldn’t have known as he wasn’t in the room or
with those certain characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says
at the beginning of the book that maybe he is making up scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure how to feel about this.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
story moves between being a love story or a story of obsession.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nothing
or no one is as it seems in this book.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
enjoyed the exotic Greek setting, especially when reading this during a
Wisconsin winter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
was reading this novel quickly as it was an engaging thriller, but it lost
steam by the end for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
listened to an interview with author Alex Michaelides and he stated that he meticulously
plotted his first two books, but went with the flow on this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved one of his previous books, The Silent
Patient, which was tightly plotted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
didn’t really like any of the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was more the style of the story that kept me engaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked that fury became a character itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, while The Fury
didn’t keep me engaged through the entire book, I did enjoy reading it and
being a part of the fury.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Book Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review copy from NetGalley and Celadon Books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-75847281433660764632024-02-20T21:15:00.005-06:002024-02-20T21:20:26.148-06:00The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6jK9UbR77KMG-GQvz2GuSisnqiZLowvkou42093oD9gfdJGyhdQxICVdYeJa7yRZelv0z_P_48MPwd15f9Fcg8k1NzAsj0PPFLdBQPcpyAHY1GWkLRIWqppxpUzd1Vr3VjgVRODQ5eQF4mFVHXdETGaZotUyOscVcep7f15cO5R2WCF-2wZgnr-Q5HE/s3000/storm%20we%20made.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6jK9UbR77KMG-GQvz2GuSisnqiZLowvkou42093oD9gfdJGyhdQxICVdYeJa7yRZelv0z_P_48MPwd15f9Fcg8k1NzAsj0PPFLdBQPcpyAHY1GWkLRIWqppxpUzd1Vr3VjgVRODQ5eQF4mFVHXdETGaZotUyOscVcep7f15cO5R2WCF-2wZgnr-Q5HE/s320/storm%20we%20made.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title: The Storm We
Made<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vanessa Chan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Samantha Tan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Simon
& Schuster Audio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 10 hours and 52 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Review
Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you @simonandschuster #BookClubFavorites for the free books!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you like storms or do they make you nervous?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always loved rainstorms, which is
probably why I became a water resources engineer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I once had a professor say that you needed to
lay in the grass in the rain to see how the water travels across the land to
truly be a water resources engineer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan is a deep look into
how World War II impacted the Malaysian people through the lens of one family
mostly set in waning days of the war in 1945. This is told through four points
of view from one family:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cecily,
the mother, tells her story ten years in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the present she lives under the guilt that
in the past, she helped a Japanese spy to gather data from her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband worked for the public works
department and his work provided targets to for the Japanese to hit to take
over Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is excited by her
work as a spy and the thought of getting rid of the British to have a free Malaysia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Abel
is Cecily’s only son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not show
up at home on his fifteenth birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The country was experiencing the disappearance of many young men who
were conscripted to build a railroad for the Japanese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abel faces unspeakable abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jujube
is Cecily’s oldest daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She works
for a tea house and befriends a Japanese teacher who think she reminds him of
his daughter back in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
distressed about how the barbarian Americans targeted the innocents in the war
with their atomic bombs, not realizing the hypocrisy on how the Japanese are abusing
the Malaysian civilians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jasmin
in the very young daughter, about seven years old in 1945.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is innocent and spends much of her time
locked in the basement so she will not be kidnapped for a Japanese comfort
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She meets a new friend, and her
life will never be the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What I liked about this book:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
book had me deeply ponder the horrors of World War II on the Malaysian people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not previously know about how WWII
impacted Malaysia. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
main characters were well developed, and I cared about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The secondary characters were also three dimensional,
such as Bingley/Fujiwara (the Japanese spy), Mr. Takahashi (Jujube’s Japanese customer)
Freddie (Abel’s best friend), and Yuki (Jasmin’s friend).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
storylines all combined at the end for a stunning conclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
liked the map and brief Malaysia historical timeline at the beginning of the
book.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
forward is very personal and lays the background for the novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In Malaysia, our grandparents love us by not
speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More specifically, they do not
speak about their lives from 1940-1945, the period when the Japanese Imperial
Army invaded Malaya (what Malaysia was called before independence), toss ed the
British colonizers out, and turned a quiet nation into one that was at war with
itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
narrator of this audiobook, Samantha Tan, was great and brought a different
voice to the different characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Favorite Quotes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“She relives the crack of pain that incapacitated her
when she realized the price of this war was innocence, and the girls had paid,
without knowing why.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Teenage boys had begun to disappear.” – Great first line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan is a World
War II novel that shows the horror of the war in Malaysia, and I will be
thinking about this one for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-35953312900002786572024-02-19T22:26:00.000-06:002024-02-20T09:52:48.043-06:00Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYFx6T1PmXVzQ6twBxrF15S1W9b23Id9CGognPy2pUxiRIyb4UlwzkF4pr052-7ahshN9K9XvpEFa_maGBLvJlmUQOYSR7YFLI5epIf9TtcAiM4-Ruvz2Gu2tyZ6jfJfDPpLe9kiX8DTv1_uzltwL8hEKxTmjh97SFYgostSO9q1YHII-FrPAP0VRiak/s300/rebecca%20audiobook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYFx6T1PmXVzQ6twBxrF15S1W9b23Id9CGognPy2pUxiRIyb4UlwzkF4pr052-7ahshN9K9XvpEFa_maGBLvJlmUQOYSR7YFLI5epIf9TtcAiM4-Ruvz2Gu2tyZ6jfJfDPpLe9kiX8DTv1_uzltwL8hEKxTmjh97SFYgostSO9q1YHII-FrPAP0VRiak/s1600/rebecca%20audiobook.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rebecca<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daphne Du Maurier<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna Massey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:
Hachette Audio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Checked
out with Hoopla through the Kewaunee Public Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is your favorite book to movie adaptation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1940 film Rebecca directed by Alfred Hitchcock
based on the book Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier is one of my very favorite adaptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was first introduced to it by my friend
Stephanie when I was fourteen and have loved it since then. My high school
English teacher, Mrs. Smith, furthered my love for all things Daphne Du
Maurier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the novel Rebecca, a young woman falls in love with
an older man in Monte Carlo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They marry
and return to his estate, Manderley, in Cornwall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There she feels she is always in the shadow
of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will she
be able to move forward out of her shadow and become her own person?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thoughts on rereading this classic novel again:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
love this book every time I reread it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a beautifully written romantic suspense novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The language is just beautiful to read, and
the plot is perfectly put together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
and last lines of this novel are famous for a good reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
did not like how harsh Maxim talked to the narrator at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could really see their age difference in
this reread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted someone to treat
the narrator with the kindness and love that she craved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
narrator starts the novel so awkward, and I felt embarrassed for her
often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked her character development
and how she becomes a stronger person by the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
I first read this as a teenager, I got all the way to the end before I realized
that I never knew the narrator’s name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was a brilliant way to write the novel as narrated by a woman who feels she is
not good enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
mystery is wonderfully put together and the reveal at the end is perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
is a book I will reread my entire life and still find it to be engaging.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Manderley
is a character itself, beautiful, yet creepy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is
there any other book where a dead person looms so large in a story in which she
never actually appears?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
always felt like this story was a modern update of the Jane Eyre story. Does
anyone else feel the same way?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
loved the small details about even the minor characters such as the detestable
Mrs. Van Hopper when she puts her cigarettes out in her cold cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This for some reason really bothered me about
this character.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mrs.
Danvers is one of the great villains of literature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to read a book on the back story
of Mrs. Danvers.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
was the first time I read this book on audiobook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna Massey was a great narrator, and it was
a very engaging audiobook experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I read this book in
January for my Back to the Classics Book Club at the Kewaunee Public
Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, we had to reschedule
the meeting to this month due to too many people being unable to attend the
meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be discussing the book
next Monday night and watching the movie at our meeting in March.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Favorite Quotes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Last night I dreamt I went
to Manderley again.” – First Line<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And the ashes blew
towards us with the salt wind from the sea.” – Last Line<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-47514241059783627512024-02-18T23:19:00.001-06:002024-02-18T23:19:49.047-06:00The Midnight Library by Matt Haig<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMfcd9C-Ol9FaiJib7rdibcqMJ6Yga0AA1HjYHOutgx7wijEMHCUeMWYfXeWBM8E23H-8NUmsx_LqD4B4JUtr26YEQvTNagByoTUiJh9S9XG8UAunAEaIjKDl1rbMcjmi1UtTAKlR7TSqy5egr70dXHMOjsg0F4AjTLPXVzTlWGkQRkNgcK0cKE9DA8w/s475/midnight%20library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMfcd9C-Ol9FaiJib7rdibcqMJ6Yga0AA1HjYHOutgx7wijEMHCUeMWYfXeWBM8E23H-8NUmsx_LqD4B4JUtr26YEQvTNagByoTUiJh9S9XG8UAunAEaIjKDl1rbMcjmi1UtTAKlR7TSqy5egr70dXHMOjsg0F4AjTLPXVzTlWGkQRkNgcK0cKE9DA8w/s320/midnight%20library.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What book has your book
club read that prompted the most discussion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Midnight Library by Matt Haig prompted great discussion in January
at our Rogue Book club meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nora Seed has many
regrets in her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tries to commit
suicide and finds herself at the Midnight Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The library exists between life and
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nora’s beloved childhood librarian
is there and shows Nora her book of regrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nora can pick a regret and see how her life would be if she took another
path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nora discovers these life lessons:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some of what you beat yourself up about is
not really your fault.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes the one that got away, got away
for a good reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 106.8pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Great success comes at a cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author Matt Haig had
tried to commit suicide himself and has struggled through mental health issues including
depression in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
experiences are really shown in this novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It started off very bleak but had a good ending.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This book reminded me of
one of my favorite all time movies, It’s a Wonderful Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always loved to watch and read “what
if” type scenarios probably from watching It’s a Wonderful Life and from
watching “The City on the Edge of Forever” classic original Star Trek series episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
like thinking about these types of scenarios?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Favorite Quote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You don't have to understand life. You just have to
live it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Book Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Purchased from Amazon.com.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-89993355817859752782024-02-16T19:00:00.003-06:002024-02-16T19:00:41.215-06:00Lonely for You Only by Monica Murphy (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguePHiF2CeWkO0YqJD4oebVEReBXofB41q3jwnf5uRAGVpJqIIW8MJahn2TwHNZZGs0Ot05mXEypTlm2tEgQ_lTZ8zIb9wJ4_aug38Htjp0iCu7H5gk6cGt0s5U_uM0DgDywU93nxtBF5NeIwBqG1-bE3Sxjtat35pRHB8unDnuwmQnVbnmuMJ3DMFbEA/s2560/lonely%20for%20only%20you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguePHiF2CeWkO0YqJD4oebVEReBXofB41q3jwnf5uRAGVpJqIIW8MJahn2TwHNZZGs0Ot05mXEypTlm2tEgQ_lTZ8zIb9wJ4_aug38Htjp0iCu7H5gk6cGt0s5U_uM0DgDywU93nxtBF5NeIwBqG1-bE3Sxjtat35pRHB8unDnuwmQnVbnmuMJ3DMFbEA/s320/lonely%20for%20only%20you.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle
@blackstonepublishing for the review copy of Lonely for You Only by Monica
Murphy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did you have a favorite boy band in your teenage
years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you want to meet the lead
singer from that band as an adult?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I loved New Kids on the Block as a preteen and young
teen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved Joey McIntyre at that
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what I would do if I
met him as an adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would probably
awkwardly have nothing to say to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Heiress Scarlett Lancaster is turning eighteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father hired a famous singer for her
party and is keeping it a surprise until the big day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scarlett is hoping for Taylor Swift or Harry
Styles, but it turns out to be Tate Ramsey, her young teenage crush from the
now defunct band, Five Car Pileup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tate’s
life as a teen heartthrob had spiraled out of control, but he has successfully
been through rehab and has been clean for three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now at twenty-one, he is ready for a comeback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a steamy kiss at the party is caught by
others and goes viral, Scarlett and Tate decide to start a fake relationship to
both get what they want out of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will
this fake relationship turn into love?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What I loved about this book:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was a fun and enjoyable story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love stories of the rich and famous and
this seemed almost ripped from the headlines with a rich heiress and has been
boy band member.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fake dating is one of my favorite romantic
tropes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this book it’s also combined
with angsty slow burn with some spice at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tate and Scarlett were a case of opposites
attract. I enjoyed it as their relationship developed and they both developed
as people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both brought out the
best in each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a coming-of-age
story for them both.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dual point of view so you were able to get
the story from both Scarlett and Tate’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I love that Tate wrote Scarlett songs and
thought it was very romantic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This story was very light and easy to read
during a stressful work week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think the cover of this novel is beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fitz Lancaster, Scarlett’s Dad, is a
reformed (?) older playboy and he was a very fun character.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I did not realize this is part of a series
of the Lancaster siblings until I noticed this online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book worked so well as a stand alone that
I didn’t realize while reading it that it was a part of a series.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Things I didn’t like as much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The foul language used at times could be
jarring. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, if you are looking for a fun, light new adult
romance with a great premise, I recommend Lonely for You Only.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-60363851324691807442024-02-13T22:21:00.002-06:002024-02-13T22:21:33.907-06:00The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3icZINSijcHThE_deh02LeAGmUo3Pz-lSyjXJWz-CZFRoXAPT6kCagSEXO30tbMhuqOiLZqaFofIq57ZYqzLJCaQyFFuZE0yyOrX6z3fIMCYNDO8VCSD5mQ-dthPbHAXN7pmgnjz6rAO9jFt8-RqTkjI5GFs3dyV2BWWX2k5waU2qGeiTkbiI9KZBYY0/s5550/mostly%20true%20story%20of%20tanner%20and%20louse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5550" data-original-width="3675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3icZINSijcHThE_deh02LeAGmUo3Pz-lSyjXJWz-CZFRoXAPT6kCagSEXO30tbMhuqOiLZqaFofIq57ZYqzLJCaQyFFuZE0yyOrX6z3fIMCYNDO8VCSD5mQ-dthPbHAXN7pmgnjz6rAO9jFt8-RqTkjI5GFs3dyV2BWWX2k5waU2qGeiTkbiI9KZBYY0/s320/mostly%20true%20story%20of%20tanner%20and%20louse.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever taken a long cross-country trip?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, who did you go with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve gone on various trips, but I have never
gone on a true cross-country trip to the Pacific Ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tanner is twenty-one years old, and her life has
stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a star soccer player
that had won a full ride to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
tragic accident ended her soccer career and her scholarship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she is at home living in her parents’
basement with no plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her parents decided
that she will help a family friend by staying with her mother, Louise, as she
is having a hard time getting around after hip surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once there, Tanner and Louise are learning to
live with each other when Louise needs Tanner to drive her cross country to
visit an old friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did Louise
need to make such a quick get away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is her history?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will Tanner be able to
move forward with her life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I really loved this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is destined to be one of my favorite
books of 2024.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things I enjoyed were:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An unlikely friendship pairing of an eighty-four-year-old
woman and a twenty-one-year-old woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Both Tanner and Louise learn from each other
and grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Great mystery – I never knew what was
going to happen next!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Humor was throughout the book and
constantly had me chuckling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Road trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I always like a good road trip in a novel or movie.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The romance between August and Tanner was
sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think everyone in our book club loved
the green Jaguar that came bursting out of Louise’s shed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a car for a road trip!<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was the February selection for the Page-turners
Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a great discussion about it today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Favorite Quotes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Though Louise wished it were not a universal truth,
there were only a handful of women in this world who could pull of a bare
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl in front of her was not
one of them.” – The universal truth made me think of the first line of Pride
and Prejudice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“She grabbed a pillow beside her head, jammed it over
her face, and screamed into it – the only recourse she could think of, aside
from taking a hammer to the clock and hitting it repeatedly until it splintered
into toothpicks, which, of course, was what she really wanted to do.” – I have
felt this way about alarms my entire life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Regret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
that was a feeling Tanner was wildly intimate with.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Great discussion of regret in this entire
section of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“In life there were two kinds of friends:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>friends who would wish you well on you
journey to battle, and friends who would jump in the trenches with you.” – Isn’t
that the truth!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
was a fun, unique novel that kept me guessing and entertained throughout.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Book Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checked
out from the Kewaunee Public Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank-you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-59808203814645015842024-02-12T10:51:00.003-06:002024-02-12T11:43:10.261-06:00While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden (Austenprose PR Book Tour)<p> <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-VanAX679aL8JQvG1TJ9Fb54P3682MgXe4UO73GOjPGGRFD-KbytJbwD-Zp31YkJHcWUOf5n-oXkcacDOYH9kiKkRjn0RpyBAiNAnxm9m7vi8c51QaAkazvTyRfPp8cGtA1p6OtoxqmcT1ZMz_lK0Tq0Y-pzKAm6v53CA2u4xQCw5ellLbt4jgmm-YU/s1080/_While%20the%20City%20Sleeps%20Book%20Tour%20Graphic%20v2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-VanAX679aL8JQvG1TJ9Fb54P3682MgXe4UO73GOjPGGRFD-KbytJbwD-Zp31YkJHcWUOf5n-oXkcacDOYH9kiKkRjn0RpyBAiNAnxm9m7vi8c51QaAkazvTyRfPp8cGtA1p6OtoxqmcT1ZMz_lK0Tq0Y-pzKAm6v53CA2u4xQCw5ellLbt4jgmm-YU/s320/_While%20the%20City%20Sleeps%20Book%20Tour%20Graphic%20v2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you a day or a night person?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a night person that is forced to live a daytime
existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Katherine Schneider works as a dentist in 1913 at Painless
Parker Dentistry in Times Square, New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her work shift ends at midnight and for the
past two years, the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch from the police force has
been there to walk her safely to the subway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She lives in the Martha Washington, a hotel with apartments that serves
only professional women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katherine and
Jonathan seem to have feelings for each other, but their relationship has not
progressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan harbors secrets from
his past and he is not willing to open up to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When one of Katherine’s patients spills secrets while he
is under the influence of laughing gas, Katherine soon realizes that the
secrets seem to align with bombings that are taking place around the City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of Jonathan, the two
investigate the crime. Will they be able to solve it before the criminals
silence Katherine forever?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I greatly enjoyed this historical mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I started reading this story, I
was riveted and could not put it down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What I liked about this book:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Great romantic tension between the two
lead characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Riveting history as part of the setting in
1913 New York City.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Strong female character living an
independent life as a professional dentist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Strong male lead who must come to terms
with his past in order to move on with his future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Diverse characters who are professionals
that are able to help other people in the City.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Engaging mystery story that kept me guessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Great historical notes and discussion
questions at the end of the novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Also, at the end of the novel, a first
glimpse at the next book in this Women of Midtown series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be reading it when it comes out in 2025!<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I also must add that
there was one section of the book that was my very favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a Christian book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Christian books don’t really have any
Christian themes in them but are just clean reads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book has a section in the first part of
the novel where Katherine and Jonathan have a great discussion about
forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a snippet of the
discussion:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“’I know they’re bad men,
but I’d like to think they can be redeemed.’ <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He slanted her a look,
but she kept staring through the window, the outline of her profile as pure and
refined as the statues of the saints he saw in church each Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Do you really believe that?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Of course,’ she said
automatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘If someone gives
themselves over to Christ, all things are possible.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He smothered a cynical
laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her innocence was delightful but
a bit naïve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘What about Nero?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John Wilkes Booth?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘No person is so lost they can’t be forgiven.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Let me get this
straight,’ he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘If John Wilkes Booth,
the man who shot Lincoln and derailed the reunification of our nation, managed
to choke out an apology on his deathbed, you would say it’s okay. . . . that
all is forgiven?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She lifted her chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘God would. Jesus would.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I loved this entire
conversation and there is even more to it in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great plot point as Jonathan and his
family are not perfect either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
like this is the start of him thinking about, can he and his family be forgiven
for things they have done in the past?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or does the stain of their sins make it so that he cannot be forgiven
and move on with his life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall, While the City
Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden was a captivating and engaging historical mystery
novel. It is one of my favorite books this year so far.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Book Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review copy from author Bethany House
Publishing as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">QUICK FACTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_8DCBganjk62lwWnaP3jmhTYH470EcTG_ImnvfwXx4GnYgDf_OFOTygrJulC01yPQzu-8YnEpJOg8hA_MeyY9g66H2gHcd8ng_TvxHGg2ZBuel-unXxfqr7FPp4cwR3FgU8cyu3oIM0WgGnyemFUxRTNgs_2JBfdkVUQPCjzh05ir-c7fEL173aWIT4/s1500/While%20the%20City%20Sleeps%20cover%202024.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_8DCBganjk62lwWnaP3jmhTYH470EcTG_ImnvfwXx4GnYgDf_OFOTygrJulC01yPQzu-8YnEpJOg8hA_MeyY9g66H2gHcd8ng_TvxHGg2ZBuel-unXxfqr7FPp4cwR3FgU8cyu3oIM0WgGnyemFUxRTNgs_2JBfdkVUQPCjzh05ir-c7fEL173aWIT4/s320/While%20the%20City%20Sleeps%20cover%202024.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Title</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">:<b> </b>While the City Sleeps<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Series: </span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The Women of Midtown (Book
1)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Author</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">:<b> </b><a name="_Hlk96784101"></a><a name="_Hlk83486970">Elizabeth
Camden</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Genre</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">:</span> <span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Gilded
Age Fiction <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Publisher</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: Bethany House Publishers
(February 13, 2024)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Length:</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> (352) pages<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Format</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: Hardcover,
Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">ISBN</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: 978-0764241710<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Tour Dates</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">: February 12 – 26, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOK DESCRIPTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Amid the
hushed city, two hearts must navigate danger and deception, bound by a love
that outshines the stars.<br />
<br />
</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Katherine Schneider's life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended
when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of
laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing
Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.<br />
<br />
Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never
acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide.
Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as
they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her . . . even as he keeps
his deepest secrets hidden at all costs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Join
award-winning author Elizabeth Camden for a sweeping and romantic adventure of
dangerous secrets and wounded hearts, fighting to overcome the darkness while
the rest of the city sleeps.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PRAISE FOR WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">"History, mystery, and romance
set against the backdrop of New York City at night--a must-read!"<b>—
Gabrielle Meyer, bestselling author of <i>When the Day Comes,</i> and <i>In
This Moment<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">"Elizabeth Camden brings the
bustling metropolis to living color like no one else. . . A novel that
will keep readers up late into the night."<b>— Jocelyn Green, Christy
Award-winning author of <i>The Metropolitan Affair<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">“I loved the historical details
that make the story feel authentic.”<b>— Kim Prudhoe, <i>All the Lovely
Pages</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PURCHASE LINKS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SmDQZ3"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">AMAZON</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk93660399"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <a name="_Hlk111811788">| </a></span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/while-the-city-sleeps-elizabeth-camden/1143717378">BARNES
& NOBLE</a> | </span></b><a href="http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/while-the-city-sleeps/415681"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PUBLISHER</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk142919019"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/while-the-city-sleeps-elizabeth-camden/20204058?ean=9780764241710">BOOKSHOP</a>
<a name="_Hlk142917608">|</a> </span></b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/while-the-city-sleeps-the-women-of-midtown-by-elizabeth-camden"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181857660-while-the-city-sleeps"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvh5p2ck17nmnfBto73d07YoBSzPuj9vVq9A7-rOO0ufhZC3Ql3woEja39fo4Gjt7R5ov1DP64Ts8QICaLpLGZpSCK0HJzHdxSEoVhES_4V9AdsK0sEe0LyHAzj0oaiJoQOB3m9oQH5-kWgH-Q55VoOAFdojHvel0a8kNLFaH1gHY_RyXleFLnG06VLg/s1080/Elizabeth%20Camden%20author%20headshot%20x%201080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvh5p2ck17nmnfBto73d07YoBSzPuj9vVq9A7-rOO0ufhZC3Ql3woEja39fo4Gjt7R5ov1DP64Ts8QICaLpLGZpSCK0HJzHdxSEoVhES_4V9AdsK0sEe0LyHAzj0oaiJoQOB3m9oQH5-kWgH-Q55VoOAFdojHvel0a8kNLFaH1gHY_RyXleFLnG06VLg/s320/Elizabeth%20Camden%20author%20headshot%20x%201080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">AUTHOR BIO<o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Elizabeth
Camden </span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">is best known
for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines
and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic
librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her
favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have
won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who
graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://elizabethcamden.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCamden/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/authorelizabethcamden/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> |</span></b> <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-camden"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4373995.Elizabeth_Camden"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 106.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-91256633274802253182024-02-11T23:08:00.001-06:002024-02-11T23:08:08.068-06:00The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI6bLw5irRJJIwL1DcDNyiQ5fIvGjxQLhbLCn2Z-2Gfdp9wy9hc9225rXI6uggjDVAg9zreUxHb1gDQQo9O_WStd-u1Pis2hKAQns4Zuo94GFHOazOhfHDuvM24oeS-t1q3fmmgni2FLlAOv6wRlB6tGa02GiKVB_TIJAJAgoM1pKC6q0d6UOT81u71w/s499/night%20island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI6bLw5irRJJIwL1DcDNyiQ5fIvGjxQLhbLCn2Z-2Gfdp9wy9hc9225rXI6uggjDVAg9zreUxHb1gDQQo9O_WStd-u1Pis2hKAQns4Zuo94GFHOazOhfHDuvM24oeS-t1q3fmmgni2FLlAOv6wRlB6tGa02GiKVB_TIJAJAgoM1pKC6q0d6UOT81u71w/s320/night%20island.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Night Island:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lost Night Files, Book 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jayne Ann Krentz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eva Kaminsky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Recorded
Books<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 8 hours and 23 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Purchased
from Amazon.com</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is your favorite island to visit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I dream of visiting a tropical island,
I’d say my favorite island to visit is Mackinac Island in Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the Victorian charm, the history, and
that there are no motorized vehicles on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like stepping back in time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Night Island is a paranormal romantic mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talia
March, Pallas Llewellyn, and Amelia Rivers host a podcast that investigates cold
cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all have psychic abilities
and believe that a shared experience from months ago that they cannot remember gave
them these abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a fan,
Phoebe, calls with a lead, Talia goes to meet her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She does not find Phoebe, but does find Luke
Rand, a man with psychic abilities also looking for answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them follow clues to find Phoebe
and end up on Night Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night Island
is the location of a remote retreat in the Pacific Northwest that advertises an
unplugged experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that
Phoebe is not the first guest to disappear on the island, and she will not be
the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will Talia and Luke be able to
solve the mystery and leave the island alive?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Night Island is very creepy and has glowing, carnivorous
plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked the suspense, and quick
moving story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also liked the romantic tension
between Talia and Luke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This paranormal
novel reminded me of the X-Men with Wolverine searching for his past and trying
to determine what had happened to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the second book in the Lost Night Files.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not realize that until I started
reading the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book did well as a
standalone novel, but I would like to go back and read the first book in the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I read this audiobook in January for the 2024 Brenda
Novak Book Group Reading Challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
enjoyed Eva Kaminsky’s narration of the audiobook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-77984513920273255542024-02-09T19:05:00.003-06:002024-02-11T18:50:13.015-06:00#Crimetime by Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNCW6Ambgh6RYZ2N_bs_C1NCM3ssIgc2R99P8vMsp-oWcwMtaHFMHaHDjqhB_7Wp5J8KUQtC7wI2kqYTsi1CpiqdZ4LLI2sgMUBNfKsAorO9EQnLJsNSc9sB3OA5om41C13ibTa4YzEY4heO5dZrZjUgPYLyVi7GTgY12-bQTt5_RJB0QxkJmExUpcmw/s3000/crimetime.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNCW6Ambgh6RYZ2N_bs_C1NCM3ssIgc2R99P8vMsp-oWcwMtaHFMHaHDjqhB_7Wp5J8KUQtC7wI2kqYTsi1CpiqdZ4LLI2sgMUBNfKsAorO9EQnLJsNSc9sB3OA5om41C13ibTa4YzEY4heO5dZrZjUgPYLyVi7GTgY12-bQTt5_RJB0QxkJmExUpcmw/s320/crimetime.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Title: #Crimetime –
An Audio Original<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abelardo Campuzano, Jennifer Damiano, Phil
Thron, Gary Tiedemann, Peter Berkrot, P.J. Ochlan, Nancy Linari, Chris Andrew
Ciulla, Piper Goodeve, Kevin R. Free, Samantha Desz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher: Simon
& Schuster Audio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Length:
Approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Source: Review
Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you @simonandschuster #BookClubFavorites for the free books!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What is the audiobook that you have most enjoyed?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">#Crimetime is an audiobook original with a full cast
and great sound effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a very
enjoyable audiobook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Nadiya is a highly successful author of crime novels that
enjoys living alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When her previously unknown to her half-brother, Chase, comes to town, he stays at her place while he
gets his life figured out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to
be TikTok star and loves to overshare everything much to Nadiya’s dismay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Nadiya’s upstairs neighbor’s apartment
is burglarized, Chase films some incriminating footage and puts it on TikTok.
Unfortunately, the footage goes viral and the two must run for their lives from
the criminals who have also seen it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Will they be able to solve the crime and save their own lives?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This was a fun mystery thriller that also had me
laughing a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a light story
that did not take itself too seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
audiobook is definitely for fans of Only Murders in the Building or the
Stephanie Plum series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chase was annoying
with his obsession with his TikTok and #Chasers as he called his fans, but it
made it all the more funny in contrast to his straight laced sister
Nadiya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the family secrets that
were exposed and the building of relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The audiobook ended with a perfect bridge to hopefully
a sequel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be listening!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-35382750844151870632024-02-06T21:45:00.004-06:002024-02-11T19:16:28.915-06:00Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell by Karen DeYoung<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUzFPO0cTToYW8KRthAX4Wnh3JssHbj5_3p_DQ9eW5SvhsoMRO5zSmqhCMFFnz26z5aKPjBfle5SEx5-tB1pTohLaIW0vpzkYgRGOxYJ5SY8tvvycxoPmSlsywlkGfCmlj22PB5Xe58vdvMbdTTXQ9VPsEvFcD_oiv2ci-cJxerC4UE9jq56r5HyPGlI/s361/soldier%20the%20life%20of%20colin%20powell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUzFPO0cTToYW8KRthAX4Wnh3JssHbj5_3p_DQ9eW5SvhsoMRO5zSmqhCMFFnz26z5aKPjBfle5SEx5-tB1pTohLaIW0vpzkYgRGOxYJ5SY8tvvycxoPmSlsywlkGfCmlj22PB5Xe58vdvMbdTTXQ9VPsEvFcD_oiv2ci-cJxerC4UE9jq56r5HyPGlI/s320/soldier%20the%20life%20of%20colin%20powell.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soldier:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Life of Colin Powell <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karen DeYoung<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coleen Marlo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher: Random
House Audio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Length:
Approximately 23 hours and 12 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Source: Checked
out with Libby through the Kewaunee Public Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank-you!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What modern day political or military figure would you
like to learn more about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in middle
school during the Gulf War when I first heard of Colin Powell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admired him and his career after that, but
I realized when he passed away that I did not know that much about his
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Solider:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Life of Colin Powell tells the story of Colin’s life from his birth through his
role as Secretary of State in the George W. Bush administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned a lot from this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was very interesting that Powell’s
parents were Jamaican immigrants in the Bronx and that very much shaped his
personality and ethics. He had very different views on race because of his
parent’s heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He joined the ROTC while earning his geology
degree in college and joined the Army after graduating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved serving his country and found that
he was able to rise up the ranks in the army through his abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He eventually became a four-star General, the
National Security Advisor, the Joint Chief of Staff Chairman, and finally the
Secretary of State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He served in Vietnam
and successfully lead the military through Desert Storm in the early nineties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Listening to this audiobook was a good review of
modern U.S. history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Powell was a very
popular person in the United States and was an independent before becoming Republican
in 1995.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He considered running for
President and I know my Dad always regretted that he didn’t as he really wanted
to vote for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Powell had a very successful
career which only seemed to have a downside when he became the Secretary of State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The George W. Bush administration had a lot
of internal problems that hampered Powell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After Powell gave his speech to the United Nations calling for war in
Iraq, he faced a lot of political fall-out when no weapons of mass destruction
were found in Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very
unfortunate end to his otherwise great career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was also very un-Powell like as he had always stressed being prepared
for such action and making sure the United States was successful and had an
exit strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a good soldier
overall and always followed the direction of his commander in chief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I enjoyed that author Karen DeYoung interviewed a wide
swath of people for this book and was able to put together a riveting
biography.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I enjoyed listening to this on audiobook, except for
one item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The audiobook was obviously
originally on CD as it kept saying, “end of Disc X” all of the way through the
audio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought this was very annoying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-88198499770407557702024-02-05T22:02:00.000-06:002024-02-05T22:02:01.912-06:00The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkTdRnJVOViTZOZt2Vqt9_706KYfTkntIyloM70Q45L9vOO6dP-XIyl92TUmmiKEL81EpaHL2PUACl2y1cOXwcNdVBOG3GfMGuZX5SPxzzOWnWQqGd5OIb2TSZQicWPQ_TIeWUI2yXpD0uXyRvT_HVdYE1Aa96oa3CdoPtJhkc4gkxNWcF_61hP1pX3g/s318/mysterious%20affair%20at%20styles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkTdRnJVOViTZOZt2Vqt9_706KYfTkntIyloM70Q45L9vOO6dP-XIyl92TUmmiKEL81EpaHL2PUACl2y1cOXwcNdVBOG3GfMGuZX5SPxzzOWnWQqGd5OIb2TSZQicWPQ_TIeWUI2yXpD0uXyRvT_HVdYE1Aa96oa3CdoPtJhkc4gkxNWcF_61hP1pX3g/s1600/mysterious%20affair%20at%20styles.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /> Title: The Mysterious Affair at Styles<p></p><p>Author: Agatha Christie</p><p>Narrated by: Hugh Fraser</p><p>Publisher: HarperAudio</p><p>Length: Approximately 5 hours and 57 minutes </p><p>Source: Checked out with Hoopla through the Kewaunee Public Library. Thank-you!</p><p>Do you participate in any reading challenges? I discovered the Read Christie Challenge a few years ago and I have been having a wonderful time discovering all of Christie’s works for the first time. #ReadChristie2024 has a theme this year of through the decades. (See Challenge Card Below). January – March are books written by Agatha Christie in the 1920’s. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMbwmFMHpLJyJzTo1UMgr_wpDX018TnZakmbFiP9Qd7t5DDtWc4S8Ok-zZonhJd8GInTocklxrl0vGEw-rPLCFo7icJIKScdgQvLbnu4aehNb4NH-xXs1ZGpm2FGGF9tevE9HxSEDCwzErXzReptzBQUeDmcCKExBiH1P_WsSZws_eJsnyWCXGh_Y7VQ/s275/readchristie%202024_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMbwmFMHpLJyJzTo1UMgr_wpDX018TnZakmbFiP9Qd7t5DDtWc4S8Ok-zZonhJd8GInTocklxrl0vGEw-rPLCFo7icJIKScdgQvLbnu4aehNb4NH-xXs1ZGpm2FGGF9tevE9HxSEDCwzErXzReptzBQUeDmcCKExBiH1P_WsSZws_eJsnyWCXGh_Y7VQ/s1600/readchristie%202024_2.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>If you’d like to join this challenge, you can do the following:</p><p>1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2024/read-christie-2024 to see the reads for each month of 2024.</p><p>2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Print a Challenge Postcard, pick out your book for the month, and start reading.</p><p>3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If you post on social media, use #ReadChristie2024 on Instagram for your chance to be featured in monthly reading round-ups. </p><p>4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You can also join an end of the month book club at the link above.</p><p>5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have fun reading and seeing what others are reading for this challenge.</p><p>For January, I read The Mysterious Affair at Styles which was published in 1920. This novel introduced her most famous detective, Hercule Poirot. Captain Arthur Hastings has just returned from the Great War and is recuperating at Styles Court as the guest of the Cavendish family. While there, the family matriarch and owner of the estate, Emily Inglethorpe, mysteriously dies. She appears to have been poisoned, but by who and why? Hastings enlists his old friend Hercule Poirot to help solve the case.</p><p>This was an excellent first novel by Agatha Christie. I love that Hercule Poirot was introduced as a Belgian refugee from World War I who is also a retired famous detective. Series regulars Inspector Japp and Hastings first appear. Hastings is still not great at putting clues together without Poirot’s help. He is also helpless when it comes to a pretty face, just like he is in the follow-up novel, Murder on the Links. Poirot uses his little grey cells and many of his mannerisms and characteristics first appear here that will continue over the many novels in which he is featured. I find it interesting that he is already retired and supposedly old in this first novel. </p><p>The mystery was good with lots of red herrings that fooled me as usual. I liked the conclusion of the novel. I also loved that Christie used her job experiences during World War I in a hospital dispensary to write about poison. She even had a character in this novel that had the same job she did during World War I. </p><p>Hugh Fraser is a good narrator of Agatha Christie’s novels. I was very entertained by this audiobook.</p><div><br /></div>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-69877645333124689302024-01-30T22:50:00.000-06:002024-01-30T22:50:27.695-06:00Sugar Plum Poisoned by Jenn McKinlay<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AoJ4XaYP6T-bLU8cmCyrC_pKAkZM92eDL1GUU3fV_NDnKVBXOsmJzra5TwGHomZ55GoLa5eUOZQ_XC2Mc44IcD8SaVGXTXJS83qHCGbt8lsiCmaQja9WDjKN8DZfIelPGHETCdXQFzlCsE8eQe1JuOfc_IRnj8pYYspSYsIddjWnBEnEME91QAX7V8k/s768/sugar%20plum%20poisoned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AoJ4XaYP6T-bLU8cmCyrC_pKAkZM92eDL1GUU3fV_NDnKVBXOsmJzra5TwGHomZ55GoLa5eUOZQ_XC2Mc44IcD8SaVGXTXJS83qHCGbt8lsiCmaQja9WDjKN8DZfIelPGHETCdXQFzlCsE8eQe1JuOfc_IRnj8pYYspSYsIddjWnBEnEME91QAX7V8k/s320/sugar%20plum%20poisoned.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sugar Plum Poisoned:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Book 15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jenn McKinlay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Narrated by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susan Boyce<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Dreamscape
Media<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:
Approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Review
Copy from NetGalley <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cupcakes or cake?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love them both.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Sugar Plum Poisoned, Mel and Angie run a bakery in
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they prepare for the holidays,
Angie’s old friend, the now famous singer Shelby, has arrived back in town to
give a Christmas concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The friends
enjoy being together again, but when Shelby’s manager is found murdered, will
they be able to solve the crime?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sugar Plum Poisoned was a cozy Christmas mystery that
I enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the friendships, the
baked goods, and trying to solve the mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did guess who the murderer was before the end, but I enjoyed the
journey getting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did feel
stressed out for Mel when both sides of her family wanted her to host a very
specific holiday celebration when she was already busy with her bakery and
solving a crime.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I did not realize this was book 15 in the series when
I read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked well as a
standalone novel, but I would love to learn the history of the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may need to check out the other books in
this series. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Susan Boyce was a good narrator for this audiobook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.com0